clutch adjustmentI

[jumfress]

I recently had the clutch replaced in my 720 JD. At first when I would unload it off the trailer I could pull back on the clutch lever and stop the tractor. That no longer works. How do I sdjust it to get it holding again. Do I remove the cover, remove the cotor pins and tighten the nuts or do I loosen the jam nut on the outside front and tighten the stud bolt? Tks. for advice.

 

[Mike Aylward]

What you have done has caused unnecessary wear on your pulley brake. The pulley brake is supposed to stop the movement of the pulley, not the tractor. The brakes on your tractor are for that purpose. If the pulley brake stops the pulley leave it alone and try to run the brakes to stop the tractor next time. Mike

 

[RobMD]

Do not use pulley brake to stop tractor. It's tempting, but ridiculous.

Just buy a new pulley pad.

 

[jumfress]

Rob,Mike thanks for your input. I guess you can tell I have not been messing with these old tractors long. I have a slight handicap (bad back and legs) I can't sit on the seat with both feet on brakes and reach forward enough to engage the clutch, that is why I have been slowing or stopping the tractor unloading off trailer with clutch lever. Besides I have already saw two men come off wet trailers sideways and get thrown off tractors, wonder someone did't get hurt. I will buy extra pads!! Tks.

 

[alabamafrog]

True the pulley brake is not supposed to stop the tractor and yes you are “supposed” to use the foot brakes for that purpose. However I too really like using the clutch handle for a brake when doing difficult maneuvers like loading and unloading. The entire time I was growing up everyone in our family used the clutch handle to stop the tractors. The only time I ever remember using the foot brakes is to steer when the front wheels were off the ground due to too much load on the rear or to get more traction when one wheel was spinning. I got the 48A clutch brake adjusted pretty good and I’m getting much better at the chain in the box game with it. I use the foot brakes when going down hill or if I need to stop from a high speed or with a heavy load but for quick and delicate maneuvers I use the pulley brake.
It is very important for safety reasons to keep the foot breaks working properly and evenly.

Answer to your question is the jam nut on the outside front and adjust the pad to where it touches as the clutch disengages and doesn’t touch when the clutch engages. I have found a new pad will wear fast at first then it will get seated in and last a long time.

 

[730d se]

Like any machine, there are little tricks and things to know that help keep them in good condition.
One other thing is to never allow the clutch pulley to idle for any period of time. If you are stopped with the engine running, and you are going to get off of the tractor, lock both brakes, put the tranny in neutral, and engage the clutch. This allows the oil slinger to keep working as it should.
How many times have I seen them at shows sitting idling with the clutch not engaged.

 

[BushogPapa]

When we were actually Working these all day-every day, we Wanted the clutch-brake loose enough to allow us to "Slip" gears without coming to a stop..
You cannot do that with a new or tightly adjusted clutch-brake..!!
If you look at the clutch-brake, you can see that there is now "mechanical advantage" designed into it for any real "braking purposes"..
As the clutch-drum polishes or gets oil on it, it will slip easier and easier..
Probably the better way to keep the clutch-brake holding would be to keep a good coat of paint on the clutch-drum, where the brake rubs..
Good Luck and Be Careful..!!

Ron.